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College World Series 2014: Texas blanks Vanderbilt 4-0 to avoid elimination

By Patrick Schmidt

Jun 20, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Longhorns pitcher Nathan Thornhill (36) deliver a pitch against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game eleven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Longhorns pitcher Nathan Thornhill (36) deliver a pitch against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game eleven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Longhorns gave all Nathan Thornhill would need on Friday afternoon from TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha as he went eight shutout innings as the Longhorns live to see another day in the College World Series.

Thornhill allowed six hits and struck out five while throwing 131 pitches (83 for strike) as the Commodores lineup was unable to to get to the Cedar Park native on a sun-soaked afternoon. Texas pitchers have put up zeroes in 33 of 35 innings in the College World Series and only allowed one run in the last 25 innings.

The Longhorns got the offense early with two runs in the first inning after they loaded the bases with no one out after a hit by pitch, walk and second hit by pitch C.J. Hinojosa’s single scored Brooks Marlow and Madison Carter walked to score Ben Johnson to put Texas up 2-0 after one.

Texas would add to their lead in the second with two more runs on triples by Zane Gurwitz and Marlow with Marlow later scoring on an error by Vanderbilt starter Biran Miller on a bunt attempt to make it 4-0.

That was all the offense that Texas would need today as their ace Thornhill was absolutely brilliant. John Curtiss closed out the game with a perfect ninth.

Parker French will start tomorrow afternoon at a time to be determined for the Longhorns.

The winner on Saturday advances to the Final to take on the winner from the series between the Virginia Cavaliers and Ole Miss Rebels which begins on Friday evening.